Star Gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus)

An introduced shrub to small tree native to India. Cultivated in home gardens in all climatic zones. Fruits edible.

Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis similis exprompta)

Rather common butterfly restricted to the southwestern coast from Negombo to Galle, not occurring inland more than 32 km s. Blue Glassy Tiger especially flies in mangrove and marsh habitats. However it can be also observed in inland wet lowland forests such as Sinharaja, Morapitiya-Runakandha and Kanneliya. Larva feeds on Vincetoxicum indicum (බිං නුග), Vincetoxicum flexuosum var. tenuis,  and Anodendron paniculatum leaves (Ovipositing also observed on Parsonsia alboflavescens [කිරි අඟුණ/වල් අඟුණ] though larvae refused to feed on them when given in the lab).

          Major N. Manders while considering the restricted distribution of this butterfly doubted that it may be an accidentally introduced species to the island from the China via Galle harbor. Before completion of the breakwater at Colombo, Galle was the first port in the island and introduction of this butterfly may have been occured during that period (Manders N., 1904) As per Manders distribution of this insect at that time was "...coast and twenty miles or so inland, that is to say, the foothills extending from Galle in the south to about ten miles beyond Colombo on the north." 

Manders N., 1904 Butterflies of Ceylon, The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society V. 16 (1904-1906)

Emilia alstonii

An indigenous herb occurs along weedy roads, eroded patanas and tea plantations in the high elevations, mainly southern and eastern part of the hill country.

Brazilian Tea (Stachytarpheta cayennensis [Syn: Stachytarpheta dichotoma])

An introduced shrubby herb native to Cuba and Mexico south to Argentina and Peru. Naturalized and widely distributed along roadsides, waste grounds, scrub lands etc. mainly in the central parts of the country. 

Senecio gardneri

An endemic perennial herb considered to be critically endangered and possibly extinct according to the National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka. Earlier records available from Adam's peak, Ambagamuwa, Upcot and  Meeriacotta estate of Central hills. Flowering from December to March. We have observed and photographed this rare plant at Kuru ganga upper basin area (1200 m) of Sripada World Heritage site (Adam's peak or Peak wilderness sanctuary) on 15th February 2014.

ගස් කරල් හැබ/වැල් කරල් හැබ[Gas karal heba, Wal karal haba] (Achyranthes aspera)

An indigenous perennial herb very common along roadsides, gardens, waste grounds, scrub lands,  forest margins, seashores and along streams throughout the island except on the higher hills. 

ගස් කයිල[Gas kayila](Breynia vitis-idaea)

An indigenous herb common along forest edges, sandy places near coast and shaded stream banks from lowlands to about 1000 m a.s.l.

Amata thoracica

Location - Ingiriya forest reserve (Dombagaskanda). Also observed at Morapitiya - Runakanda, Sinharaja  and Yagirala forest reserves.

External Links - http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/424469-Amata-thoracica

මහ උඳුපියලි[Maha undupiyali]/Spanish clover (Grona heterophylla [Syn: Desmodium heterophyllum])

Native prostrate or ascending herb very common along roadsides, grasslands and open places in the low country up to about 600 m altitude. Flowering from June to October.

Triumfetta pilosa

Common indigenous road side weed in mid and up country. 

Oval leaf false buttonweed (Spermacoce alata [Syn: Spermacoce latifolia])

An introduced herb native to the tropical America. Common weed in waste places, gardens, roadsides, etc.

Dark Blue Tiger (Tirumala septentrionis)

Dark Blue Tiger is a common butterfly flies mainly in the dry zone of the country up to 1000 m elevations. It takes part in migrations. Larva feeds on Dragia volubilis (අගුණ) leaves in the field and also on 

Heterostemma tanjorense when offered.

කොච්චි මිරිස්/නයි මිරිස්[Kochi miris/Nayi miris]/Bird pepper (Capsicum frutescens)

Domesticated species with possible South American origin. Widely cultivated in home gardens throughout the country. 

ගල් කරඳ/පනකරව පඳුරු[Gal Karanda/Panakarawa panduru]/Ceylon Boxwood (Psydrax dicoccos)

Common indigenous shrub or small tree occurs in low and middle elevations. 

නිල් පුරුක්[Nil-Puruk](Ruellia prostrata [Syn: Dipteracanthus prostratus])

Common indigenous herb occurs in partial shade among short grass along roadsides, bunds of paddy fields, etc. from low country to mid hills about 900 m a.s.l. Flowering throughout the year with a peak in March. Flowers open in the early morning and wither by noon.  

Pomasia psylaria?

Location - Kitulgala - Makandhawa forest reserve

Expanse - 2.8 cm

Reference - The Lepidoptera of Ceylon - F. Moore, F.Z.S. Vol 3 Page 448.

External Links - http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/418786-Pomasia-psylaria

Eleutheranthera ruderalis

Common introduced weed occurs in abandoned lands, cultivated grounds, roadsides, etc. Native to the tropical America. Flowering from November to May and possibly throughout the year. This grows in much the same habitats as, and closely resembles Nodeweed (Synedrella nodiflora)

දියපර[Diyapara](Dillenia triquetra)

An indigenous tree occurs in wet zone forests from lowlands to about 1200 m altitude. Flowering throughout the year.
*The vernacular name ගොඩපර[Godapara] is also used for this species where  ගොඩපර[Godapara] (Dillenia retusa) is absent, especially in Nawalapitiya area.

Witchweed (Striga lutea)

Rather common indigenous herb occurs in open grassy places of the wet lowlands and the hill country, up to about 1800 m altitudes. Probably a parasitic on the roots of the grasses. Flowering throughout the year.

Mangina argus

Location - Thalangama tank

Expanse - Male 5 cm Female - 5.4 cm

Reference - The Lepidoptera of Ceylon - F. Moore, F.Z.S. Vol 2. page 69 as Argina argus

External Links - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangina_argus

Larval host Plants - Young leaves of Crotalaria species. Larvae observed at above location were feeding on Crotalaria retusa leaves.

Euonymus walkeri

An endemic shrub or small tree rather common in south western wet lowland forests. Flowering from August to April. 

Lobelia zeylanica

An indigenous annual herb common among grasses in soggy, clayey soil beside water courses and paddy fields from wet lowlands to about 1500 m altitude. Flowering throughout the year.

ගස් පින්න/පින්න[Gas pinna/Pinna](Clerodendrum infortunatum)

Common indigenous shrub or small tree occurs in forests from wet  lowlands to about 1500 m altitude. Flowering from March to August.

Slaty-legged Crake/Banded Crake (Rallina eurizonoides)

Slaty-legged Crake is rather rare breeding resident of the wet zone and uncommon migrant mainly from wet lowlands up to the higher hills. Also locally occurs in the dry zone. It lives as solitary birds in dense swampy jungles and thickets near streams, rivers and such water bodies. It is mainly a nocturnal bird though activities can be observed even during the dawn and dusk. Slaty-legged Crake feeds on earth worms, grains, seeds, grasshoppers and such other insects.

Ficus diversiformis

An indigenous slender creeper or climber creeping over the ground, rocks and trunks. It occurs chiefly in the hills but also not uncommon in the lowland rain forests (From 50- 1600 m a.s.l.)

Bush morning glory/Hedge glory/Shrub ipomoea (Ipomoea carnea)

Native shrub of tropical America.  Introduced as an ornamental and have been cultivating since 20th century. Also naturalized close to the human habitations. Flowering from August to September and probably in other months of the year. 

මොණරකුඩුම්බිය/මගුල් කුඹුරු වැන්න[Monarakudumbiya/Mangul kumburu venna] (Cyanthillium cinereum [Syn: Vernonia cinerea])

An indigenous erect or deumbent annual herb common along roadsides and waste grounds in all climatic zones from lowlands to higher hills. Flowering throughout the year.

Micronia aculeata

Location - Kitulgala - Makandhawa forest reserve

Expanse - Male 3.8 cm, Female - 4.8 cm 

Reference - The Lepidoptera of Ceylon - F. Moore, F.Z.S. Vol 3 Page 460 - 461.

External Links - http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145630-Micronia-aculeata

Devil's ivy/Pothos/Money plant (Epipremnum aureum)

An introduced ornamental  climber native to the Solomon islands. Cultivated and also escaped and naturalized in the lowlands to hill country forests. Rarely flowering.

දිය කූඩලු/වල් කූඩලු [Diya kudalu/Wal kudalu]/Marsh henna (Hydrocera triflora)

Rather common semi-aquatic perennial occurs in ditches, marsh lands, paddy field margins and stagnant pools from sea level to 140 m a.s.l in all the climatic zones. 

Mickey mouse plant/Thomas' bird's eye bush (Ochna thomasiana)

An introduced plant native to Southeast Africa. Cultivated as an ornamental shrub. Flowering intermittently during the year. 

රස තැල් කොළ [Rasa Tel Kola] (Ipomoea sagittifolia [Syn: Ipomoea marginata/Ipomoea sepiaria])

Common indigenous vine found in swamp margins, river banks and moist disturbed sites, mainly in the dry zone.  Also occurs in the wet zone. Flowering from July to August

Annotated checklist of vagrant Cisticolas and allies (Family: Cisticolidae) of Sri Lanka

    Birds that appear outside their normal range are known as vagrants. This post listed up to date published sight records of single *unconfirmed vagrant of the family Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and allies) in Sri Lanka.   

      1)Rufescent Prinia (Prinia rufescens)

Single sight record at Kotte in 1989 by Rex.I. de Silva is the only record (Kotagama S. & Ratnavira G. 2010:283)

References:

Kotagama, S., Ratnavira, G. 2010. An illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

*Species for which there are only one or two sight records exist categorized here as unconfirmed vagrants. Problematic records without sufficient details are also included.  

නියං වැටකොළු[Niyan-vetakolu]/Smooth luffa/Sponge gourd(Cucumis melo [Syn: Luffa cylindrica])

Cultivated climbing herb with uncertain origin. Widely cultivated since young fruits are eaten as a vegetable. Also naturalized in some areas, especially near old and abandoned habitations and cultivated lands. 

Senecio ludens

An indigenous herb common in moist places at roadsides, on patanas and forest shrub above 1200 m. Flowering from October to April and possibly all the year round.  

අස්වැන්න [Aswenna]/Alice clover/One-leaf clover (Alysicarpus vaginalis)

Common indigenous perennial herb  occurs among short grass in open places and roadsides. 

Isodon walkeri

Rather common indigenous annual herb occurs in shaded or semi-exposed rocky edges of forest streams in the montane zone above 1400 m a.s.l. Flowering from January to February.

Cross-line Wave Moth (Traminda aventiaria)

Location - Kukulugala

External Links - http://www.inaturalist.org/listed_taxa/3413860

Crimson sage (Salvia coccinea)

An introduced herb native to Mexico. Widely cultivated in home gardens. Flowering throughout the year. Sometimes escaped and naturalized near gardens. Flower color and size variable and occurs in bright red, white and pink.

ඇත් තෝර[Eth thora] (Cajanus trinervius[Atylosia trinervia])

Very common erect shrub occurs in the open patanas of the montane zone from 900 to1800 m a.s.l. Flowering throughout the year. 

Tawny Rajah (Charaxes psaphon)

Rather uncommon butterfly flies all over the island except in the higher hills. It is much common in the dry zone especially during the south-west monsoon and scarce in the wet zone. Both sexes especially males settle on wet patches, bird droppings, decaying animal matters and rotting fruits. It is a very fast flier and also take part in migrations. Hill-topping phenomena is also observed of male Tawny Rajas*. According to the sources females are rarely seen, since they are less active and preferring to sit deep in the foliage. Larva feeds on Entada zeylanica, Tamarindus indica (සියඹලා/Tamarind/Indian Date), Dalbergia pseudo-sissoo (බඹර වැල්),  Entada rheedei (පුස් වැල්) and Croton laccifer (ගස්-කැප්පෙටියා). Egg laying observed on Miliusa tomentosa and  Actinodaphne stenophylla (නික දවුල) and larva fed on Aglaia elaeagnoidea when offered in the lab.

* Male flying up to and staying on a hill top waiting for females.

Toothache Plant (Acmella oleracea)

An introduced herb probably native to the Brazil. Cultivated and perhaps locally escaped. 

වැල් කොහිල [Wel kohila]/Fivefingers (Syngonium angustatum)

Native plant of Central America. Introduced as an ornamental and now naturalized from lowlands to about 1000 m elevations. Also often grown as a pot plant due to its arrow shaped variegated juvenile foliage leaves with silvery along main veins. Adults leaves of climbing stem are much more lobed (3-9 leaflets) and to keep juvenile leaves it is advised to cut-off all the climbing stems that developed.

නෙළු[Nelu] (Strobilanthes lupulina)

Rather common indigenous undershrub of southwestern wet zone forests from 75 to 1800 m altitude. 

Lyrate Grappletail (Heliogomphus lyratus)

In June 1926 G,M, Henry collected a single male and female of this very rare and probably seasonal dragonfly from the Haldummulla. F.C. Fraser later on described it as a new Gomphidae species endemic to the Sri Lanka base on those specimens. For over 80 years till in May 2009 Matjaz Bedjanic's records of single male in Kitulgala and a female in Morawaka-Diyadawa road on the slopes of Diyadawa forest, that was the sole available information of this species.
  We could observe and photograph a Male and female on early April of 2015 at a small well shaded stream of Kukulugala proposed forest reserve in the Ratnapura district. Female was oviposting in a small water hole of the stream during our observation and male when disturbed rapidly flew directly upward up to certain height.

* Another single male observed end of May 2015 while settled on a leaf along the roadside from Athweltota to Rusigala in Kaluthara district, a rather disturbed and open habitat comparing to the all of above locations.

References:

de Fonseka, T. (2000). The dragonflies of Sri Lanka. Wildlife Heritage Trust: Colombo. 304 p. 

Fraser F.C. 1933 The Gomphines of Ceylon (Order Odonata), F.C. Fraser, Ceylon Journal of Science (B) Vol. XVIII, Pt 1 December 22, 1933 page 33 

Bedjanic, M., K. Conniff, N. van der Poorten & A. Salamun, 2014. Dragonfly fauna of Sri Lanka: Distribution and biology, with threat status of its endemics. Pensoft, Sofia. 321pp.

බුරුල්ල/ගුරුල්ල[Burulla/Gurulla]/Bandicoot berry (Leea indica)

Common indigenous shrub or small tree occurs in lower elevations of both wet and dry zones. Flowering from October to March.

හීන් කටුපිල [Hin katupila] (Flueggea leucopyrus)

An indigenous shrub occurs in scrublands and thorn-scrubs from sea level up to 150 m a.s.l. Leaves used in medicine. 

Justicia hookeriana

An endemic shrub common along shady rocky stream banks in wet lowland forested areas. Often occurs in water. Flowering from February to September. 

රන් පිළිහුඩුවා[Ran Pilihuduwa]/Black-backed Kingfisher[Oriental Dwarf/Three-toed Kingfisher](Ceyx erithaca erithaca)

An uncommon breeding resident locally occurs from lowlands to mid hills. It encounters solitary or as pairs in shady streams, river banks and ponds in forests and adjasent  well wooded home gardens. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher feeds on fishes, freshwater crabs and frogs. Its breeding season is from March to April. The nesting burrow is dug in a stream bank or similar earth bank and it lays 2-3 white eggs inside the inner chamber of it. 

කිඹුල්වැන්න[Kibulwenna]/Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

Native herb of Brazil and Argentina. Invasive in Australia, China, New Zealand,Thailand and USA. In 1995 it was found that Alligator weed has been growing in home gardens of  the Sri Lankan community in Australia as a vegetable by mistake*.  Later on somehow it was introduced to the Sri Lanka and now an invasive weed in several areas, growing in dense masses in shallow water.

* Invasive Plants - A guide to the identification of the most invasive plants in Sri Lanka, Lalith Gunasekara